How to Attract the Best AWS Talent

With over 4.5 million workers in the U.S. quitting their jobs since November 2021, there are a record number of roles available. As a result, companies need to go above and beyond to attract AWS talent. In this article, we’ll explore what AWS professionals are looking for in an employer so that you can recruit and retain top cloud talent in a job seeker’s market.

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Why AWS talent leaves

Before diving into how to attract AWS talent, let’s take a look at what motivates cloud professionals to change jobs in the first place.

The top reasons AWS professionals report leaving their current roles include:

• Insufficient salary increases. Salary tops the list for the vast majority of cloud professionals. They want to feel valued for their work and properly compensated for their expertise.
• Unclear career path and lack of advancement opportunities. Cloud professionals want to understand where their role is headed and what’s next for them in their career at a company.
• The desire to take on new challenges and responsibilities. People want to grow in their role, taking on new opportunities that expand their skill sets and push them to solve new problems.
• Lack of exposure to the latest AWS technologies. AWS professionals care about staying up to date with the latest AWS products and services. Organizations that don’t stay at the cutting edge of cloud technology will miss out on top talent.
• Unsatisfactory leadership and company vision. Cloud professionals want to work for a company with leadership they respect and a vision they can get behind.
• Working environment and company culture. Remote work, flexible hours, 4-day work weeks, and an engaging work environment are in high demand right now. Companies that don’t offer these perks struggle to keep employees.

What AWS professionals want in an employer

To be competitive, your organization needs to go above and beyond, addressing not just the reasons AWS professionals leave, but also offering the perks they want to see.

AWS professionals look for the following perks in a new employer:

• Bonuses
• Training and education allowances
• Certification vouchers
• Four or more weeks of PTO
• Flexible hours and remote working options
• Equity shares in the company
• AWS events attendance

A couple themes jump out from this list: financial compensation, work-life balance, and opportunities to learn.

> Read more: How to Hire an AWS Developer in 2022

AWS professionals want to feel valued by their employer. Perks like development opportunities and the trust that comes with flexible work schedules illustrate an employer’s commitment to their employees. Offering these types of “nice-to-have” work benefits can set you and your company apart from competitors in hiring.

How employers can attract top AWS talent

Now that we know why people leave their current roles and what cloud professionals are looking for in a new employer, here are some ways your company can attract and retain AWS talent:

1. Offer competitive salaries and bonuses

Employees who feel they aren’t compensated fairly will look for higher-paying opportunities, increasing your turnover. Talented AWS professionals know what they’re worth. Show them you understand their value and keep them happy by offering bonuses to reward hard work.

2. Invest in your employees

AWS professionals want to take on new challenges and expand their skill set with relevant training. Set yourself apart from other employers by creating interesting roles relevant to the tech your employees are excited about and offering training opportunities for your team to grow. Education allowances, the ability to attend AWS events, and certification vouchers all show AWS talent that you’re invested in their growth within your company and beyond.

3. Create a workplace culture that meets modern needs

People care more about their work when their company treats them well and they enjoy their work environment. Offering remote work opportunities, flexible hours, generous PTO, paid parental leave, and health insurance show that you care about the well-being of your employees inside and outside the office.

4. Eliminate hiring bias

Subconscious biases hinder diversity, decrease productivity, and stall revenue—you could be passing on top talent without realizing it. Standardize interviews to put everyone on equal footing and use blind resumes to let candidates’ experience and skills speak for themselves.

5. Support developing talent

Invest in the next generation of tech talent by partnering with local schools and organizations such as Black Girls Code and Latinas in Tech.

Need help finding AWS talent?

NerdRabbit is the world’s first AWS software-defined staffing company powered by machine learning, connecting you and your company with the top AWS professionals to fill your contract, hourly, and full time hire needs. Find our solution, Nerdly, on AWS Marketplace to find the talent you need while simplifying spending through AWS centralized billing.

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